On October 18, the Second Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference opened in Qingdao International Convention Center, Shandong province. Energy ministers of relevant countries, ambassadors to China and heads of international organizations gathered both online and offline, and engaged in fruitful discussions under the theme of “Join Hands towards a Greener and More Inclusive Energy Future”, building further consensus on promoting green energy development under the Belt and Road Initiative. The conference also witnessed the establishment of the Belt and Road Energy Partnership Cooperation Network. TJU( APEC Sustainable Energy Center) has become a member of four working groups: Green Energy, Connectivity (Electricity), Smart Energy (Innovation) and Higher Education (Youth).

In the event, the Belt and Road Energy Partnership (BREP) expanded its membership and welcomed Cuba, Morocco and other new members. Terms of Reference of the Belt and Road Energy Partnership was approved and officially released with the agreement of all member states. It is the third document of BREP, marking a new stage of cooperation. According to this document, the values of the BREP are “towards a greener, sustainable and inclusive energy future.” Guided by the principle of joint contribution, extensive consultation and shared benefits, the BREP takes into full account different circumstances, needs and priorities of its member states and promotes practical international energy cooperation.

The establishment of APSEC is an important achievement of the Chinese government's active response to APEC leaders' “Asia-Pacific Urbanization Partnership Initiative”. It has been mentioned in the 2014 11th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting Statement and the 22nd APEC Leaders' Declaration. In the same year, the National Energy Administration signed the "Agreement on Cooperation and Operation Management of APEC Sustainable Energy Center" with Tianjin University, and entrusted the latter to be responsible for the daily operation management of APSEC. As the first international organization led by China in the field of energy, APSEC will promote the international energy cooperation on the APEC stage and make new and greater contributions to building a clean and beautiful world.

By Dai Chenming

Editor: Liu Yani & Eva Yin